No matter how it seems or feels right now... your dog's
blindness is much harder on you than it is for him/her! Eye sight
ranks #3 in importance compared to smell and hearing to your dog.

Our dogs pick up easily on our own feelings.
Even though you are feeling sad for your dog, try to talk to him often in a "cheery voice"
as if nothing has changed... and try not to "baby" your baby!

If you are bringing a new blind puppy or dog into your home
and you have time, provide the dog with something with your scent on it for a few days
before bring your dog home.

If you have other pets at home you can get "jingle bells" at
any craft store (small pets - a cat collar w/bell) that can be added to the collar of
other pets so your blind dogs can easily tell where they are.

Sew 1 or 2 "jingle bells" onto an elastic pony tail band
(used for hair) to slip onto your own ankle, or attach bell to shoe laces, so your blind
dog can hear where you are walking.

Having a "home base" is helpful as they learn to "map" of the
house and yard. Bed, crate, or food bowl makes a good "home base" and if he/she becomes
confused can start out again at home base.

Leave a TV or radio playing softly near the pet's bed (or
wherever they spend the most time when you are gone) the sound is soothing, and may help
prevent excess barking.

If your dog uses a crate - turn it on its side, so that the
door opens "up" and you can bungee the door in place. This way your dog doesn't need to
worry that the door may only be partially open.

If you have a smaller dog, avoid picking him/her up to
"help" them get to food or other areas. They need to learn on their own, and
actually become very confused when picked up and set down.

Your dog will learn to "map" home and yard in his mind when
ready, but you can also put dog on a short lead and encourage to walk around room to room,
and around yard.. using treats if needed.

If your dog hesitates learning to "map" the house, get down
on all 4's with him, as this is TREMENDOUS fun for pup and you can slap door, floor,
furniture with your key word: Ouch! or whatever words you choose.

Get down on the floor and crawl around at the dog's eye level
to find anything that might be dangerous. Do the same in your yard... look for low growing
branches etc. that could poke the eyes & trim.

If you have young children that need to understand that
things are "new" for their doggie.. have them put on a blindfold and crawl around.. so
they can *see* that things are different now for their pal.

Hearing your voice is very soothing, so talk to you blind dog
often. Let him know when you are walking out of a room etc. Even just some "silly chatter"
is enjoyable to him.. and really is kind of fun!

Remember to speak to your dog when you are approaching to
touch (especially while sleeping) to prevent startling him/her.

Some dogs do become "depressed" at first when they go blind
(this is normal!) but you can help by trying to keep up their routine as normal as
possible. If they love to go for walks... go for a walk etc.

If your dog wore a collar for walking before, now is a good
time to try a harness. You will have more control if the dog balks, with less stress to
the neck & eyes... important with glaucoma.

Use a short lead to avoid tripping over the leash. Not
usually needed, but you can thread the dog's leash through a few feet of PVC pipe to make
rigid leash for "directing" in a specific direction.

If you've always enjoyed moving your furniture around... now
would be a good time to pick your "favorite" layout... and keep things in the same
location for your blind dog. Keep floors picked up.

Scent important areas....doorway/doggie door to go outside
(vanilla extract, citrus, pine or furniture polish) place "scent" down low on the door or
molding for best "sniffing". Scent any "danger" areas.

Use "scents" to help sparingly.. remember.. your carpet,
furniture etc. already "have" a scent to your dog (and probably a good thing we
don't know about them!) don't change the already very familiar.

Use a baby gate or a decorative fireplace screen to block
stairs until your dog has mastered them.

Scenting the top landing of stairs (telling the dog no more
stairs up) and the bottom stair (no more stairs down) can be helpful, or place a carpet
mat at both top and bottom of stairs.

Teach stairs by placing a "treat" on every step or two. Stand
in front of dog, holding collar or harness, and gently encourage (without pulling),
practice until he is able to go up and down smoothly.

If you have wooden stairs that can be slippery, purchase
nonskid adhesive strips for the edges of each step to give your dog more confidence in
using the stairs without fear of slipping. For extra "heavy
duty" try these, recommended by one of our blind dog owners from "Griot's Garage" available online.

If you use a ramp make sure it has "raised edges" to prevent
your dog from slipping off the sides.

A carpet "runner"down a hallway, concrete basement floor,
etc. can make a great "runway" for playing ball indoors. Your dog will know that as long
as he is on the "runway" it is safe to go full blast!

Carpet sample squares are "cheap" and while your dog is
learning the layout of the house put carpet squares in the doorways going into each room
to make it easier to find the door openings.

A wind chime near the backdoor (or doggie door) can be
helpful to your dog in getting headed back to this door after going outside. Door mats at
all outside door entrances are also very helpful.

Use both real and silk plants in the house and yard as
“feelers” – the plants gently touch the dog before running into something hard. Use around
porch posts, on cabinet corners, around trees, etc.

Plastic place mats placed under the food and water bowls will
help your dog "feel" when they are right up close to the bowls.

There are a number of companies that make "pet fountains"
that make it easier for your dog to "hear" the water running when they want to drink..
really just a plus.. not a necessity.

For eye protection when outdoors, hiking etc. where there are
low growing shrubs, twigs etc. Doggles can protect the eyes, or an Eye Shield. Start them wearing for short periods w/treats to get used to
them.

Socialization is so important.. especially for
blind puppies.. but even adult dogs recently blind can also develop some fears. Visit pet
stores... dog parks & other places where your dog can socialize.

When pup is out socializing, let people know that he is blind
so they don't reach out to pet unexpectedly. Make a vest from a child's apron, or a
bandana collar using puff paint, that stays "I'm Blind"... OR..

Dogs with SARDS sometimes will reverse day/night, and in
older dogs this may also be signs of senility. Look into OTC phosphatidylserine (PS) or Rx
Anipryl.

Try to have something familiar to the dog -- toy, blanket,
bed, etc. -- for comfort when going to a strange new place.

If boarding your dog, or leaving for a long appt. alone with
vet or groomer, make a special sign to have added to their kennel saying "I'm blind" to
make sure all caregivers "know" your dog is blind.

If you have an in-ground swimming pool, fish pond or other
outdoor danger zone you can fence off using a portable exercise pen (sometimes called an
X-Pen)

Add 1 - 2 feet outward -- bark chips, mulch or landscape
rocks around trees or other danger in the yard will let your dog feel a texture difference
on the ground to warn that something is ahead.

Remember to carry shovels, rakes and other yard tools (as
well as bags of groceries!) up high, as your blind dog may run up to "greet you" and can't
see what you are carrying.

Many blind dog owners say their dog seems to be "deaf" as
well as blind sometimes.. but usually they are just very involved in "listening" to more
going on around them.. and may not hear you at first.

If your blind dog seems to bark much more than before, this
is not unusual. This web site shares great info on types of barking ideas to stop excessive barking that should help.

If bringing a new dog home introduce him/her slowly to the
blind dog (can separate using a baby gate) sighted dogs do learn something is "different"
with a blind dog, and many will be a seeing-eye friend!

If you your blind dog wasn't "into" playing ball, Frisbee
etc. he won't feel he is missing on this being blind. If you dog needs a "job" and lived
for playing ball, Frisbee etc. read on....

If your dog loved to play ball... try "scented"
tennis balls (available at most pet stores) , or scent your own tennis balls with
vanilla, or even a bit of bacon grease or other food smell... yummy!

Tennis ball with a bell inside is helpful, and may be able to
find pre-made. If not, cut a small slit in the tennis ball and insert a jingle bell, but
make sure dog doesn't get bell out and choke!

Throwing the ball a long way doesn't work... but using a ball
"Chuck-It" you can throw "down" and bounce close enough for your dog to follow the sound..
or try kicking the ball through grass.

Latex toys also work great for fetch.. the squeaker is a plus
for fun, but the latex toys have a unique sound when they hit the ground, and most bounce
several times... giving dog extra time to find them.

Frisbee "loving" dogs can still play Frisbee... maybe not
catching mid-air like before -- but can still "fetch" a Frisbee.. and that is just
fine with them!

Some feel sad believing that their dog won't be able to chase
squirrels in the yard etc. but they can! Teach the word "squirrel" and let your dog know
when you *see* a squirrel, he will hear & smell it.

Teach your dog the names of toys, and favorite activities.
Rory, a Border Collie can understand more than 200 words! You can read more about Rory
here.

If your dog was involved in Agility, Flyball or other, and
will not longer be able to compete... perhaps classes to become a therapy dog to visiting
nursing homes, hospitals etc. would fill that void.

Contact some local rescue organizations that hold adoption
events and offer to spend the day with them to educate the public on how rewarding
adopting a pet with a handicap can be!

Teach your dog "new" things to make life even more fun! Try
doing "clicker training" that fits in nicely with his/her new skills for*
listening* vs. *seeing* and your dog will be very proud of new skills!

There are many "treat balls" on the market that
will allow your dog to roll the ball around to dispense treats, and even some that let
you record your own voice to hear as they roll.

Just "talking balls" in general are big fun for a blind dog,
like the Babble Balls® that come in either talk or make animal sounds when touched.